Duck in the Truck [Paperback]

Jez Alborough (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Duck

Uh-oh! Duck is stuck!

Duck is driving home in his truck, when both he and the truck get stuck insome muck -- yuck! But along comes a Frog from a bush who offers to push,then a Sheep in a jeep, and a Goat in a boat. Are the three friends strongenough to get the truck unstuck, or is Duck just plain out of luck?

Join Duck and his friends in this quacking good read-aloud for some good, messy fun.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"A deliciously percussive rhyming story of a feathered truck driver who becomes mired in muck and the three animal Good Samaritans who try and help him," wrote PW. "A quacking good read-aloud." Ages 3-6.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The mud may be sticky in this piece of rhymed tomfoolery from Alborough (Can You Jump Like a Kangaroo?, 1996, etc.), but the wordplay is clear and washed. Duck is motoring along a rutted country road in his old clunker truck. The truck hits a stone, bounces once, and lands in the glop. Duck hops off``These are the feet that jump the Duck down/into the muck all yucky and brown''and finds his vehicle stuck fast. Through illustrations that are so welcoming readers will want to crawl right into the artwork, Alborough then introduces Frog and Sheep and Goat, who yeomanly lend a hand. As Duck's wheels at last gain traction and he tools off into the sunset, he literally does his helpmates dirty: ``This is the Duck driving home in the truck/leaving the Frog, the Sheep, and the GoatStuck in the muck!'' A tale that is sweet, funny, and messythree attributes with which any child can identifycombines with sprightly verse and inviting illustrations to make Alborough's latest a thorough success. (Picture book. 3-6) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (April 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064438333
• ISBN-13: 978-0064438339
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,041,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jez was born in Kingston upon Thames in 1959. He went to art school in Norwich and then set about entering the competitve world of children's books. Jez has now written and illustrated over thirty picture books for children, he was runner up of the 1985 Mother Goose Award with his first book Bare Bear. Jez lives in London with his Danish wife.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please ignore "Bad Manners" below, September 26, 2003

By 

Timothy Hernandez "metimoteo" (the centennial state) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Duck in the Truck (Hardcover)

I am a volunteer reader for the Denver Public Library and I recently read this book to a group of preschool children. It's a fun book! The rhyming and repetition patterns of the text are characteristic of some of the finest books for young people. As far as the content of the story, yes, Duck is a character of suspect temperament, but I thought the author made that clear (Duck is an antihero). You are not expected to cheer for him. Besides as the reader, you should point out Duck's flaws to your listeners (it's your "moral" obligation). Ask your son/daughter how he/she would feel if someone treated him/her the way Duck treats his "friends". I spent time with my listeners and asked them about whether Duck was being nice to the other characters in the story and emphasized the importance of treating people well....check out the book for yourself at a library.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for teaching GOOD manners..., March 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Duck in the Truck (Hardcover)

I agree wholeheartedly with the reviews that say "Bad Manners" review is shortsighted to say the least. If you want to engage in passive parenting and not use this book in any interactive and instructive way, then I suppose it's not the best choice. Why? Duck is like many people we meet in the world, not a bad Duck, just a little lacking in the social graces and a tad self-absorbed. Fortunately, he has good friends that model the good stuff and help him with his quandry. His story is told in a fun and engaging way with wonderful rhymes and gorgeous illustrations. It's a great book for engaging youngsters in discussions about things like friendship, patience, problem-solving and gratitude...in a completely age-appropriate way. And it's a fun ride, to boot.

Bad book? Not at all. Perhaps for someone who wants a book to do her parenting for her. But most will find it a treasure. Personally, I find it refreshing that this book teaches little lessons without explicitly telling you what those lessons are. It means I get to talk with my child--and that's what "quality time" is all about! BUY IT!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun story, great springboard for discussion about how people behave ..., March 3, 2006

By 

Warrigal (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Duck in the Truck (Hardcover)

My kids have both loved this one. The art is inspired, the predicament is hilarious, the rhyme scheme mostly works, Duck is the most gloriously hopeless egoist since Mr Toad, and the author appears to have faith in parents in general and thus leaves the ethical commentary up to you.

The ending has been the object of some controversy, but I like to think that Frog, Sheep and Goat took themselves off to the pub by way of an epilogue, forged a friendship for the ages, and then dined out on the story for years.